By Zach Smith. BOONE, N.C. — A crowd of 8,052, the largest since 2009, showed up at the Holmes Center Saturday night (Jan. 27) to witness a battle between two Sun Belt powerhouses. App State once again showed out on national television, defeating James Madison, 82-76.

Entering Saturday’s contest, the Mountaineers and the Dukes sat atop the Sun Belt Conference standings. Both programs boasted impressive, non-conference results, leading to Saturday’s most anticipated home basketball game in recent memory for the Mountaineers. 

it felt like a home court, legit atmosphere

App State hosted a “block party” in front of the third-largest crowd since the Holmes Center opened in 2000. The Mountaineers solidified a reputation as the best shot-blocking team in the country, swatting away 12 shots. Sophomore forward Justin Abson tied the App State record with eight blocks of his own. 

The Mountaineer scoring effort was led by junior forward Tre’Von Spillers. His 21 points, along with Myles Tate’s 10 and 14 each by Donovan Gregory and Terence Harcum, was enough to put the Dukes away. Gregory was the Mountaineers’ top distributor, assisting on six made shots.

Terrence Edwards Jr. led the way for JMU with 25 points, while TJ Bickerstaff (15) and Julien Wooden (8) both surpassed the 1,000 career point milestone. Michael Green III’s five assists was a team-high for the Dukes.

The first two minutes were all JMU. Following Harcum’s opening shot, the Dukes went on a 6-0 run to take an early lead. App State found their stride, though, and six Mountaineers scored on their ensuing 13-1 run. App State’s defense came alive in that stretch, as JMU was unable to convert on a shot from the field over a seven-minute period. Neither team was able to score more than five consecutive points following the opening runs, and App State took an eight-point lead into the locker room.

The second half was dominated by App State’s free-throw shooting. The Mountaineers scored 25 points from the line, more than half of their 46 total points in the final 20 minutes. JMU did try to mount a miraculous late-game comeback, but were only able to get within four points of the Mountaineers. App State was able to put the Dukes away, completing a season sweep of the preseason Sun Belt favorites.

App State head coach Dustin Kerns shared his thoughts on the matchup and atmosphere postgame.

“It was a great college basketball game from two really good teams,” Kerns said. “But, the nation seeing Boone, App State, our atmosphere, you know, from a recruiting standpoint, all of the above.”

Justin Abson, unbelievable

Justin Abson posted an App State program-record eight blocks in the victory over JMU. Kerns gave Abson credit for his performance Saturday night.

“Justin Abson, unbelievable,” Kerns said. “And we had a lot of guys, right? But from a defensive standpoint, protecting the rim, he was just unbelievably outstanding. Eight blocks, and I think he probably altered 10 more.”

Abson shared his perspective on his historic night.

“Honestly, going into the game I wasn’t thinking I was gonna get a lot of blocks,” Abson said. “In the previous game [against JMU] I had four blocks, and I saw the interview where [JMU head coach Mark Byington] said the team needed to emphasize not attacking me. I guess he didn’t do a good enough job and that was the end result.”

Saturday night saw the largest crowd at the Holmes Convocation Center since the Steph Curry-led Davidson visited in 2009. It was the second game to have an attendance of 7,000 or more this season. Kerns shared what he thought was different about the crowd against JMU vs the Mountaineers’ statement win over Auburn in early December.

“I thought tonight was about App State,” Kerns said. “I thought maybe the Auburn game was a little like ‘hey we’ve got Auburn here, big game, let’s go see.’ But I thought that tonight was like, we had people here to see App State play.”

Kerns spoke on what the home court atmosphere meant to him and how it impacted App State’s performance.

“After our pregame meal, which is four hours before the game, I was told there were students outside,” Kerns said. “So I went up there, and it was like 50 or 60, it wasn’t just two or three. That was kind of like a ‘wow’ moment. It was really cool, but I think the energy in the building, our students, our crowd, it felt like a home court, legit atmosphere. Once again, it rose our level, it hurt our opponent tonight, James Madison, but it really felt like a legit home court atmosphere.”

As a team, both sides shot at a 42% clip with six made three-pointers each. App State had the edge from the charity stripe, cashing in on 30 of their 40 free-throw attempts. The Mountaineers’ bench outscored James Madison’s, 22-10, But the Dukes out-rebounded App State, 41-39.

With the loss, JMU falls to a three-way tie for third in the Sun Belt standings. After a perfect non-conference slate, the Dukes have dropped three games to conference foes. Two of those losses have come at the hands of App State. JMU looks to rebound Thursday (Feb. 1), as they play host to Coastal Carolina. Tipoff is set for 7:00p.m., and the game can be streamed on ESPN+.

App State finishes their four-game homestand on a six-game win streak. The Mountaineers retain their solo position at the top of the Sun Belt, moving to 8-1 in conference play. App State returns to action Thursday, as they travel to Atlanta for a rematch with Georgia State. The game is slated to tipoff at 7:00p.m., and can be streamed on ESPN+.

By Zach Smith. BOONE, N.C. — Looking to retain their position at the top of the Sun Belt standings, App State battled long-time rival Georgia Southern Thursday night (Jan. 25). The Mountaineers extended their win streak to five games with their victory over the Eagles, 84-74.

The App State scoring effort was led by junior guard Terence Harcum, who posted a season-high 23 points. Harcum was one of four Mountaineers to score double-digit points, joined by Tre’Von Spillers (13), Donovan Gregory (12) and Justin Abson (11). Spillers and Abson tacked on nine rebounds each while freshman guard Jordan Marsh dished out a team-high three assists.

Georgia Southern was led by a 28-point performance from Tyren Moore, while Eugene Brown III grabbed a team-best seven rebounds.

Early in the first half, everything seemed to go in App State’s favor. The Mountaineers scored the game’s first seven points, holding the Eagle scoring effort off through nearly the first three minutes. App State rode Georgia Southern’s shooting struggles to an 11-point lead, but the Eagles weren’t going away easily. Georgia Southern clawed their way back to just a 3-point deficit, but the Mountaineers scored nine consecutive points to extend their advantage to 12. Late in the half, the Eagles went on a 7-0 run of their own, cutting App State’s halftime lead to five points.

With the position we’re in, we’re gonna get everybody’s best shot

The tide seemed to shift in Georgia Southern’s favor to start the second half. App State scored six of the first eight points in the period but the Eagles went on a 15-5 run to take their first lead of the game. Trailing by one point, the Mountaineers found an extra gear. With the crowd becoming more involved by the second, App State responded with another 9-0 run to jump back out in front. Georgia Southern never saw the lead again, and the Mountaineers nested the Eagles to remain undefeated at the Holmes Convocation Center.

App State head coach Dustin Kerns shared his thoughts on the matchup post-game.

“It’s Sun Belt basketball,” Kerns said. “With the position we’re in, we’re gonna get everybody’s best shot, and we certainly got their best shot tonight. Proud of our guys, I thought it was just a hard-fought game.”

[The crowd] just keeps getting bigger and bigger

Thursday’s game saw another large turnout from the App State student section, dubbed the “Mountaineer Menace.” Kerns spoke on what it means to have such a hostile home environment.

“[The crowd] just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Kerns said. “I don’t know what the attendance was tonight here, but it felt like a big crowd. I really thought our students got into it and really willed us to some stops there. It’s great, and it’s helping. I think it’s helping raise the level of our team and it’s hurting our opponents.”

Georgia Southern erased a nine-point deficit to take their first lead of the game in the second half, but App State immediately regained control. Sophomore forward Justin Abson explained what changed for the Mountaineers to jump back out in front.

“Our intensity,” Abson said. “We felt like we were letting up a little bit, so we just had to put our foot on the gas and take the game back over.”

App State’s next matchup is one that’s been circled on the calendar since early this season. With the Mountaineers playing host to the 18-2 James Madison Dukes Saturday (Jan. 27), Abson and Harcum had one message for the fans.

“Pack Holmes, baby.”

As a team, App State hit on 47% of their shots from the field, compared to Georgia Southern’s 45% clip. The Mountaineers held their rivals to just three made three-pointers, none of which came in the second half. App State once again dominated on the glass, out-rebounding the Eagles, 43-35. Those rebounds were highlighted by the Mountaineers’ 16 offensive-boards, leading to 25 second-chance points. App State’s defense also continued to shine, as their nine blocked shots catapulted them to the top of the country in blocks per game.

With the loss, Georgia Southern falls to 4-16, with an even 4-4 record in Sun Belt play. The Eagles look to tally on another victory Saturday, as they travel to face Old Dominion. Tip-off is set for 7:00p.m., and the game can be streamed on ESPN+.

App State moves to 16-4 following Thursday’s victory, marking their best 20-game start to a season since the 1988-89 campaign. The Mountaineers’ next test is in front of a nationally-televised audience against James Madison. The battle of the top two teams in the Sun Belt is slated to tip-off at 6:00p.m., and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

By Zach Smith. BOONE, N.C. — Temperatures in Boone were frigid Wednesday (Jan. 17). App State men’s basketball remained hot. The Mountaineers continued their early season campaign, defeating Georgia State, 76-68.

App State was once again led by junior forward Tre’Von Spillers, who posted his fifth double-double of the 2023-24 campaign. Spillers’ 23 points and 13 rebounds were both team-highs, while fellow junior transfer Myles Tate was the key distributor for the Mountaineers, dishing out six assists to go along with his 15 points. Fifth-year forward Donovan Gregory grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds.

Georgia State guards Brenden Tucker and Lucas Taylor each scored 12 points, tied for team-best. Forward Jay’Den Turner pulled 12 rebounds for the Panthers.

Fans of defensive, low-scoring basketball loved the opening five minutes of the game. Following a combined six misses from the field, the first points were scored just under two minutes in, via a dunk by Spillers. The slam was the first of six from the JUCO transfer. Neither team could pull away, though, and the first media break came as the score was just 5-4 in App State’s favor.

“We feel like that’s our identity”

The score remained close for most of the half, until the Mountaineers went on their first of two 7-0 runs in the period with 6:18 remaining. More back-and-forth scoring followed before the home side went on their second run of seven consecutive points. The second run earned the Mountaineers an 11-point lead, their largest of the day. Entering halftime, App State led, 39-30.

Georgia State’s first-half scoring troubles were centered around an abysmal 13% clip from beyond the arc. That changed quickly in the second half, as Turner drained a long-range shot to score the period’s first points. App State was able to extend their lead back to 11, but the Panthers earned the next eight consecutive points to cut the Mountaineer lead to three. Just over 90 seconds later, Turner converted on another three-pointer, tying the game for the first time since the game’s opening bucket. App State was then able to score 11 of the next 14 points to widen the gap to nine points and, following back-to-back Georgia State shots from deep, the Mountaineers put the game away.

App State head coach Dustin Kerns shared his thoughts on his team’s performance, post-game. 

“Really proud of our guys. Hard-fought win against a really good team,” Kerns said. “They’ve been arguably one of the hottest teams in the league and we had to play really, really well to win this game.”

 Kerns gave an insight into how he prepares his team for a more physical matchup.

“We try to be the more physical team. We talk about it all the time,” Kerns said. “We feel that if we play as hard as we can, as physical as we can, we can wear down teams.”

That’s the sign of a really good team.

All nine Mountaineers that saw action against Georgia State recorded at least two points. Kerns spoke on what that means for him, as well how important it is for the team.

“I think that we’ve got nine starters,” Kerns said. “We’ve had that, where we’ve had a couple guys out for certain reasons and, you know, guys step up. Our depth is our strength. Everybody scored, everybody had double-digit minutes, it’s great. That’s a sign of a really good team.”

Defense has been a large part of App State’s success, and played a key role in holding Georgia State off in the closing minutes. Myles Tate spoke on the conversation between Kerns and the players heading into the final stretch of the game.

“Coach Kerns always tells us ‘We’re gonna win the game on defense,’” Tate said. “We keep that in our mind as we go back on the floor and we try to get as many stops as we can. The offense is gonna come because we’ve got good players and we all can make plays. If we can just get stops down the stretch, offense will be easy.”

Kerns echoed that thought and gave credit to his players for shutting Georgia State down in the closing stretch.

“We feel like that’s our identity,” Kerns said. “We held a team that’s been scoring the ball really, really well, they shoot the ball really, really well.”

Despite Georgia State’s three-point shooting turnaround in the second half, App State was able to hold on for the victory. Kerns shared what he spoke to his team about down the stretch.

“One of the things we emphasize is next-play mentality,” Kerns said. “It’s basketball, things are gonna happen. You’re gonna throw the thing out of bounds a few times, you’re gonna miss some shots, but so is the other team. We told them ‘listen, they are gonna make threes, next play mentality. We can’t not play well the next possession because they just made a three.’ That’s one of their strengths, they really shoot the ball really, really well.”

As a team, App State shot 45% from the field, despite their below-average 27% mark from deep. The Mountaineers rode their 17 offensive boards to out-rebound the Panthers, 51-36. App State solidified their position as the third-best shot-blocking team in the country, swatting away seven Georgia State shots.

With the loss, Georgia State falls to 9-8 overall and 4-2 in the Sun Belt. The Panthers look to bounce back Saturday (Jan. 20) as they travel to Statesboro, GA for an in-state matchup with Georgia Southern. Tip-off is set for 3:00p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.

Wednesday’s game marked the first of a four-game homestand for the 14-4 Mountaineers. Coastal Carolina will be the next to attempt to hand App State their first loss at the Holmes Convocation Center Saturday. The game will be the second of an App State basketball doubleheader with the women’s team, and will tip-off at 4:30p.m.. Both of Saturday’s App State matchups can be streamed on ESPN+.

By Bret Strelow. DURHAM, N.C. — Make it another dual shutout and another Power Five win for App State Wrestling.

The 24th-ranked Mountaineers won all 10 individual matches, plus two extra matches, before leaving Duke’s Card Gym with a 44-0 victory against the Blue Devils on Monday night.

It was App State’s national-leading 15th shutout since the start of 2020 and its 12th win against a P5 program since JohnMark Bentley became head coach. The Mountaineers (2-1) had also faced ACC opponents in their first two duals (No. 3 NC State, No. 21 North Carolina) of this season, and they square off against another one (No. 11 Virginia Tech) on the road Friday night.

Coming off a fourth-place finish at the Southern Scuffle, an encouraging development following an injury-delayed start to his season, Riley Edwards took the mat first in his first career dual start and opened the competition against Duke (4-6) with a 15-2 major decision at 141 pounds.

After building leads of 7-0 and 11-4, Carson Floyd delivered a pin at 197 pounds in just his fifth match of the season, while Tomas Brooker (16-2 major decision at 184 pounds) and Chad Bellis (forfeit at 125 pounds) officially recorded their first career dual victories.

Back-to-back-to-back tech falls from Tommy Askey (157 pounds), Will Miller (165) and Luke Uliano (174) pushed the lead from 7-0 to 22-0 at the midway point. The other wins came from Cody Bond (7-3 decision at 149), Jacob Sartorio (8-1 decision at heavyweight) and Ethan Oakley (7-3 decision at 133).

Bond trailed 3-2 entering the third period but had 90 seconds in riding time thanks to a second-period rideout. He earned an escape early in the third and gained separation on a takedown with 1:06 left.

In Brooker’s win, he used strong defense in the opening two minutes to avoid falling behind, then produced a key takedown with 10 seconds left in the period to seize control.

In the two extra matches, Ike Byers overcame an 8-1 deficit in a 14-10 decision against Duke starter Christian Colman at 141 pounds, and Anthony Conetta won a 15-8 decision at 157.

No. 24 App State 44, Duke 0
141: Riley Edwards (APP) def. Christian Colman (DU), 15-2 maj. dec.
149: #26 Cody Bond (APP) def. Jarred Papcsy (DU), 7-3 dec.
157: #19 Tommy Askey (APP) def. Logan Ferrero (DU), 23-6 tech fall
165: #22 Will Miller (APP) def. Gaetano Console (DU), 22-5 tech fall
174: Luke Uliano (APP) def. Jack Wimmer (DU), 19-1 tech fall
184: Tomas Brooker (APP) def. Conor Becker (DU), 16-2 maj. dec.
197: Carson Floyd (APP) def. Kwasi Bonsu (DU), fall (6:36)
HWT: Jacob Sartorio (APP) def. Connor Barket (DU), 8-1 dec.
125: Chad Bellis (APP) won by forfeit
133: #24 Ethan Oakley (APP) def. Raymond Adams (DU), 7-3 dec.

BONUS PHOTOS (courtesy of App State Athletics)

By Joey Jones. IRVING, Texas — The recent jersey retirement in Boone highlighted his number, and now his name will have a permanent home in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Yes, App State’s Armanti Edwards is being enshrined — as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, no less.

The National Football Foundation announced Monday that Edwards, a record-setting and title-winning quarterback for the Mountaineers from 2006-09, is one of 22 members of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class. The official induction ceremony will be held Dec. 10 during the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Each inductee will also be recognized at their respective collegiate institutions with NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the fall.

“On behalf of the entire App State family, we congratulate Armanti on this significant recognition,” said Director of Athletics Doug Gillin. “The continued success of our football program and athletics department stands on the foundation built by student-athlete leaders like Armanti. This is a well-deserved honor, and we’re excited he will be joining the other Mountaineers as members of the College Football Hall of Fame.”

Edwards will become the fourth official App State representative and second player from App State to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, which is located in Atlanta. The other player, linebacker Dexter Coakley, was inducted in 2011, followed by Edwards’ head coach in Boone, Jerry Moore, who was inducted in 2014.
Another head coach who led the Mountaineers, Mack Brown, was inducted in 2018. An unofficial Hall of Fame member with ties to the program is Fisher DeBerry, who was an App State assistant before becoming a successful college head coach.
Less than two months ago, on Nov. 25, App State retired the No. 14 jersey worn by Edwards.
During his four years in Boone, Edwards was a four-time first-team All-American, the first two-time FCS National Player of the Year (Walter Payton Award) and a two-time national champion who went 42-7 as a starter, including the historic 34-32 upset of No. 5 Michigan to open App State’s 2007 championship season. The Mountaineers went 28-2 in conference games with three unbeaten runs to league titles in his four seasons.
Edwards amassed 14,753 yards of total offense in his App State career (10,392 passing with 4,361 rushing) and 139 total touchdowns (74 passing with 65 rushing) while helping lead App State to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007.

He spent 12 years in pro football after being a third-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, with stints as a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears before he enjoyed additional success as a CFL receiver who produced a 1,000-yard season in 2019. He wasn’t eligible for Hall of Fame inclusion until he had officially retired from professional football.

Edwards became the first Division I player (FBS or FCS) with more than 10,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in his career and currently has only one other player (Colin Kaepernick of Nevada) as company on that list.

Edwards remains an FCS record holder for career rushing TDs by a quarterback and most seasons with 3,000-plus yards of total offense (four seasons, tied for first with Steve McNair) while ranking No. 2 in career rushing yards by a QB and No. 4 in career total offense.

His four first-team All-America honors from 2006-09 include first-team recognition from the Associated Press in 2008 and 2009.

Edwards posted single-game highs of 433 passing yards (still a school record) and 313 rushing yards (in a 2007 FCS semifinal win to currently rank No. 2 in single-game rushing yards by an FCS quarterback and No. 2 by any App State player, broken in 2020). In the upset of Michigan, he accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and 289 yards of total offense (227 passing, 62 rushing).

A total of 19 First Team All-America players and three standout coaches will be announced as members of the 2024 Class. The electees have been selected from the 2024 national ballot of 78 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 32 coaches from the divisional ranks, including FCS programs.

What They’re Saying about Armanti Edwards:

“Only the best of the best are enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame, and Armanti is well deserving of being a first-ballot selection. We congratulate Armanti on this honor and appreciate the tremendous impact he has made on App State Football.”
– App State head coach Shawn Clark

“In my coaching career, there was not a player or person that was better than Armanti Edwards. He was tough, athletic, and never made an excuse. He led us to two national championships and graduated in three-and-a-half years. He was a terrific leader, even with a quiet demeanor. And he is an outstanding father and husband, a great example. I am excited for him to join the all-time greats as a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.”
– Former App State head coach (1989-2012) and College Football Hall of Famer Jerry Moore

Full College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024:

PLAYERS:

• Justin Blackmon – WR, Oklahoma State (2009-11)
• Paul Cameron – TB, UCLA (1951-53)
• Tim Couch – QB, Kentucky (1996-98)
• Warrick Dunn – RB, Florida State (1993-96)
• Armanti Edwards – QB, App State (2006-09)
• Deon Figures – CB, Colorado (1988, 1990-92)
• Larry Fitzgerald – WR, Pittsburgh (2002-03)
• Toby Gerhart – RB, Stanford (2006-09)
• Dan Hampton – DT, Arkansas (1975-78)
• Steve Hutchinson – OG, Michigan (1997-2000)
• Antonio Langham – CB, Alabama (1990-93)
• Randy Moss – WR, Marshall (1996-97)
• Julius Peppers – DE, North Carolina (1999-2001)
• Paul Posluszny – LB, Penn State (2003-06)
• Dewey Selmon – NG, Oklahoma (1972-75)
• Alex Smith – QB, Utah (2002-04)
• Kevin Smith – CB, Texas A&M (1988-91)
• Chris Ward – OT, Ohio State (1974-77)
• Danny Woodhead – RB, Chadron State [NE] (2004-07)

COACHES:

• Mark Dantonio – 132-74-0 (64.1%): Cincinnati (2004-06), Michigan State (2007-19)
• Danny Hale – 213-69-1 (75.4%): West Chester [PA] (1984-88), Bloomsburg [PA] (1993-2012)
• Frank Solich – 173-101-0: Nebraska (1998-2003), Ohio (2005-2020)

By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — News reports surfaced on Jan. 7 that former App State running back Nate Noel has committed to Missouri after entering the transfer portal on Dec. 7. Although former App State head coach Eli Drinkwitz was hired by Missouri at the end of the 2019 season and Noel’s first year as a Mountaineer was the following season, it would be a good bet that Drinkwitz became familiar with Noel during the recruiting process.

Noel was a 3-star recruit coming to the Mountaineers, later proving to be a highly productive running back for App State even though he battled through injuries. Entering the 2023 season, Noel had rushed for 2,240 yards and 13 seasons, including nine 100-yard-plus games. In 2021, he played in all 14 games and started 10 of them, leading the Sun Belt Conference with 1,126 rushing yards. Although his 2023 campaign was hindered by injuries, he managed 851 yards in 173 rush attempts, including five TDs.

Other prominent names to enter the transfer portal from App State include wide receivers Dashaun Davis, Milan Tucker and Coen Sutton, as well as quarterback Ryan Burger, who won the starting job in the preseason but lost it to Joey Aguilar after getting injured in the first game of the 2023 season.

Other than Noel, the only other former Mountaineers to commit elsewhere as of Jan. 7 are Tucker to Florida Atlantic, offensive lineman Seth Williams to East Tennessee State, defensive lineman Donovan Spellman to Charlotte, and cornerback James Edwards to Tennessee Tech.

New commitments to App State include wide receiver William Fowles from Louisville, outside linebacker Thomas Schrader from Florida State, cornerback Jason Chambers from North Carolina Central, wide receiver Zavier Short from South Carolina, offensive lineman Michael Marotta from Valdosta State, and defensive back Avarion Cole from North Carolina A & T.

By Zach Smith. BOONE, N.C. — If Thursday’s performance wasn’t “App State’s brand of basketball,” then Saturday’s (Jan. 6) showing certainly was. The Mountaineers’ women’s basketball team dominated South Alabama, 96-49.

Faith Alston led the way again for App State as she scored 30 points for the second time this season. J’Mani Ingram (12) and Alexis Black (11) also reached double-digit points, while Samantha LaFon and Ingram grabbed seven rebounds each. Zada Porter was the key distributor for the Mountaineers, dishing out a game-high five assists.

South Alabama sophomore guards Michiyah Simmons (11) and Kelsey Thompson (10) led the Jaguar scoring effort, while redshirt senior center Zena Elias grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.

The first quarter proved to be the closest the game would ever get as App State went into the first media break with a five-point lead. Later in the period, both teams went on scoring droughts, with the Mountaineers’ misfortune coming to an end with a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Alston. App State took a 27-18 lead into the next frame.

App State made a statement in the second period. Following Alston’s three-pointer at the first quarter buzzer, the senior guard scored eight more points in a 2:47 time frame to set the tone for the Mountaineers. South Alabama was only able to score four second-quarter points compared to App State’s 23, and the Mountaineers extended their advantage to a 50-22 lead at intermission.

This is the standard, regardless of what type of team it is…

With the game falling apart for the Jaguars early, they looked to make up some ground in the third quarter. That effort proved unsuccessful, though, as South Alabama’s lone streak of seven consecutive points was immediately matched by an App State 7-0 streak, scored entirely by Alston. The Mountaineer lead was pushed to 35 entering the fourth and final quarter.

With the game out of reach for South Alabama, App State used the final period to give their reserves playing time. Even with a less experienced group on the floor for the Mountaineers, they still outscored the Jaguars. App State freshman MaKenzie Drout scored six points in the final ten minutes. The Mountaineers ended the game with a 47-point margin, their largest of the day.

App State head coach Angel Elderkin gave her thoughts on the win over South Alabama following a difficult loss last time out, at home vs. Texas State two days earlier.

“Just really proud of the way that our team responded,” Elderkin said. After Thursday’s game we knew that, in the Sun Belt, it’s a very quick turnaround.”

Alston shared how important it was for the players to get back into the win column.

“The importance coming into today was really to come back like a bounce-back type of game,” Alston said. “Like, come back, be us, wash that loss behind us.”

At the end of the day… there’s a bus driver and it is faith alston.

Alston also explained what the expectation is for the team going forward.

“This is the standard, regardless of what type of team it is, who we’re playing, the name of the team, the name of the conference,” Alston said. “Whoever it is, we step on the floor, we treat it like a playoff game, like we’re only playing one game and that’s it.”

Alston finished Saturday’s game with 30 points, the second most she’s scored in a game behind her 31-point performance against Mercer earlier this season. Elderkin had high praise for the senior guard.

“At the end of the day, when you watch App State basketball, there’s a bus driver and it’s Faith Alston,” Elderkin said. “We go as she goes. She plays with so much passion and so much energy and our team just thrives. Everybody talks about her points and, yes, she had a 30-point game and it’s exceptional. But her leadership in the huddles, her leadership on the floor, that’s what was truly exceptional and that’s what got us this big victory today.”

Because of App State’s dominating lead, many younger or less experienced players received playing time. Thirteen Mountaineers saw action, the most in any game this season.

Graduate guard Mariah Frazier spoke on what it meant to see her teammates in action.

“It was really joyful to see them actually go out there,” Frazier said. “They work really hard in practice, they make sure that we’re prepared for the game, so, them getting that reward today, being able to play was just really great. Shout out to everybody that got in, it was a great team win, for sure.”

As a team, App State shot 51% from the field while holding South Alabama to a 28% clip. The Mountaineers forced 18 Jaguar turnovers, and out-rebounded South Alabama, 51-39. App State’s 96 points is the most they’ve scored in a game in the 2023-24 season, while South Alabama’s 49 points is the fewest the Mountaineers have allowed on the campaign.

With the loss, South Alabama extends its losing skid to five consecutive games. The Jaguars fall to 7-8 overall, and remain winless in Sun Belt play, at 0-3. South Alabama will look to put an end to their winning drought Thursday (Jan. 11), as they travel to take on ULM. Tip-off is slated for 6:00p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.

App State’s victory gives the Mountaineers their third in the last four games. The Mountaineers improve to 8-6 overall, with a 2-1 Sun Belt record. App State will travel to Statesboro for a rivalry match with Georgia Southern next. Thursday’s (Jan. 11) matchup will tip-off at 6:00p.m. and can also be streamed on ESPN+.

By Matt Present. BOONE, N.C. — Following nine prior seasons as a collegiate pitching coach and four months serving the Mountaineers’ baseball program as the Director of Operations – Pitching Performance, Jim Leggett has been promoted to serve as App State’s pitching coach, head coach Kermit Smith announced on Jan. 5.

“My wife and I already feel like the High Country is home, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be the next pitching coach at App State,” Leggett said. “The vision of Coach Smith, the athletic department and the University make this unbelievably exciting to be a part of.

“Thank you to Coach Smith and everyone involved for believing in me for this opportunity. I cannot wait to continue carving this path of helping our student-athletes become the best they can be. If we keep that as our focus, I firmly believe we will compete at the highest level of college baseball right here in Boone.”

“Jim is a winner,” Smith said. “He has done everything from winning a state championship as a high school player to competing in the NCAA II and JUCO World Series four times as a coach and player. He has coached eight pitching staffs and four of them have finished in the top-two in their respective conferences. Most importantly he is a great person. He and his wife, Kate, will affect our program and community in a positive way.”

Leggett takes over for Ricky Meinhold, who was hired by the Toronto Blue Jays organization after formerly working for the New York Mets.

Since joining the Mountaineers in December, Leggett has been instrumental in working with App State pitchers in the new state-of-the-art pitching lab, which opened this fall, and is used to improve pitching performance and aid in injury prevention.

Prior to joining the App State staff in September, Leggett served as the pitching coach at Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville, Tenn., where he helped lead the Trojans to three consecutive 30-win seasons, including a 2021 Division II College World Series berth, followed by a 37-win campaign the following season. In 2023, the Trojans claimed another division title, with two of Leggett’s weekend starters earning all-conference recognition with sub-3.00 ERAs.

During his four full seasons at Trevecca Nazarene, Leggett developed 10 all-conference pitchers, including a pair of all-region honorees and one All-American. His 2021 staff boasted a team ERA of 4.30, which led the conference and ranked as high as eighth nationally during the season.

A native of Rocky Mount, N.C., Leggett was an all-state pitcher and state champion at Rocky Mount High School before beginning his college career in 2009 under Smith at Belmont Abbey, which made it to the Division II College World Series.

Leggett then transferred to Pitt Community College, where he again made a College World Series appearance as a pitcher the following year. Leggett received his associate’s degree from Pitt Community College in 2011 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from East Carolina in 2014.

In 2015, Leggett began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant and pitching coach in Greenwood, S.C., on a Lander staff with Smith as the head coach and Britt Johnson as an assistant. Leggett helped Lander’s pitchers post a 3.98 ERA that led the Peach Belt in 2016 on the way to a College World Series appearance and a program-record third-place finish in the national rankings.

Leggett went on to become a full-time pitching coach at Francis Marion in Florence, S.C., from 2017-18, helping the Patriots to an 18-2 start during the 2017 season, their best start in program history.

What they’re saying about Leggett…

“Coach Leggett was an important part of my career; through college and professional baseball. There were tools that Coach implemented into my pitching development that helped me. Whether that was helping me doing a daily routine, to pitch design, or the mental side of pitching, Coach Leggett brought his own twist to a game that is changing constantly and made it consistent throughout my career. I’m grateful for the time I had with him and I know that Appalachian State’s pitching staff will be grateful to have him.”

– Brandon White (12th Round Draft Pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2016 out of Lander University)

“I’m excited for the players and the future of the program with the promotion of Jim Leggett to pitching coach. We have worked alongside each other for the last four months and I know he will continue to maximize the development of each individual he is tasked to lead. He’s had success at every step of his journey, and I know that will continue in this new role here at App State. This is a special place with special people, and I’m excited to watch Jim lead this pitching staff to perform at a high level, now and into the future. I am here to support him every step of the way! Congratulations Jim, and Go Mountaineers!”

– Ricky Meinhold (Former App State pitching coach, Toronto Blue Jays – Coordinator, Pitching Development)

“Congratulations to Jim Leggett on being hired as the new Pitching Coach at Appalachian State! Jim brings an incredible amount of passion and purpose to the App State Program. His devotion to getting the most out of his players by building meaningful relationships through trust, communication, and preparation is impressive. His growth-oriented mindset and drive to get better are surely going to set the tone for the players, and make a huge impact on the entire program. Though the entire App State Pitching Staff is in great hands, so is the entire App State Program because Jim’s presence and passion is going to rub off on everyone”.

– Alan Jaeger (Jaeger Sports)